Worlds Apart

As I contemplated attempting the trek down the mountain on Monday morning after 5 inches of snow with a layer of hail-ice underneath, I checked the forecast in Nicaragua-upper 90's today with high humidity and a slight chance of rain. I combed through facebook posts by friends in Nicaragua and notice one exuberant post of gratification for a thunderstorm.

In Nicaragua, they are at the tail-end of the "dry season." From November through April, temperatures soar and the heat rages, much like the high desert of western Colorado, but adding a high level of humidity. The thunderstorms signal a time of cooling, although slight, for our friends in Nicaragua.

A significant occurrence, after four weeks of a red alert issued by the government following a sequence of earthquakes, kiddos throughout Managua are back to school today after four weeks of "earthquake days." Yes, my North American friends, earthquake days-a stretch from the typical snow day we have all experienced at one time or another.

Although worlds apart in terms of climate and weather at this time of year, educators in Nicaragua and Colorado have shared a common thread in the past four weeks-striving to educate our youth by whatever means possible. You see, at both Vision Charter Academy in Colorado and Nicaragua Christian Academy, educators have stretched themselves to ensure that our children are being educated. We are working hard, thinking outside the box, and partnering with parents. We are holding classes in homes, through Google docs, and with other creative means to show our dedication to future generations. Through snow, storms, and earthquakes, educators across the globe strive to partner with parents and cultivate our children, doing our best with God's oversight to prepare them for the future. Sometimes, the hurdles to overcome are more than quaking ground and snow-covered roads; these hurdles are greater than cancelled classes. But as dedicated educators, it is our duty to equip our kids to overcome these obstacles, with excellence.

Funny how a snow day and four weeks of earthquake days can put the importance of education in perspective, huh?

~Kimberly~